IE will not let me install security patches

[sdas]

Have Win XP SP1. AMD Althon 2.4, MSI motherboard, award BIOS, 512 meg, 700
gigs HDs,

i am trying to install the October 2003, Cumulative Patch for Internet
Explorer 6 (828750) after Windows Update told me that there is a new
security issues that could compromise my pc.

I did the windows update which has worked before, but it told me the the
INF installer could not work due to 'Access Denied' error, even thought i
had everything closed. So I d/led the actual file q828750.exe and ran it.
It said that 'This update requires IE 6.0 to be installed. Which it has
been since it was released. I then decided to reinstalled it so i d/led ie
6.0, when that does not work since it states that 'A newer version of IE is
already installed.'

i went to IE HELP/ABOUT to see what that version was and the Version: ,
Cipher Strenght: and product ID fields are totaly blank.

I need to install these patches since the message states that an attacker
could attack me even if "(even if Internet Explorer is not used as the Web
browser)."

HELP!

 

[Sandi - Microsoft MVP]

Trouble using Windows Update:
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/answers.htm#w_update

The install error means that you were trying to install a patch that was
either already installed or not required.

Regarding the 0 bit cypher strength and everything else being empty, I sure
hope you always disable antivirus, crashguards etc before doing updates. 0
bit cypher is addressed here:

Strength Appears as 0 Bit in Internet Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q261/3/28.asp

BTW, install a firewall to neutralise many attacks.

--
Install the latest IE cumulative patch for protection against QHost:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-040.asp
More information about QHosts can be found here:
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/darnit_3.htm#qhost
________________________________________
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999 (IE/OE)
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer

 

[sdas]

Trouble using Windows Update:
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/answers.htm#w_update

Went there tried various things for XP none worked

The install error means that you were trying to install a patch that
was either already installed or not required.

Nope, it occurred the very first time i tried it, i did not have it
already installed or not required

Regarding the 0 bit cypher strength and everything else being empty, I
sure hope you always disable antivirus, crashguards etc before doing
updates. 0 bit cypher is addressed here:

Strength Appears as 0 Bit in Internet Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q261/3/28.asp

Wnet there followed the instructions for XP, changed the registry, etc,
reinstalled IE latest version, no change whatsoever

BTW, install a firewall to neutralise many attacks.

have one installed, disabled when doing updates. No word from MS
whether this new attack is impacted by firewall(God i hope it can be
stopped by it)

Also don't have a virus scanner installed (do one online every couple of
days) and only ad blocker is one in Mozilla that uses a text file of ad
page names


I have followed the instructions (outside of reinstalling XP, which is
out of the question, i have too many setting and stuff to risk losing)
and i am still in same situation.

I do not use IE, i use Mozilla ALL the time, now there is a security
risk to my pc from IE that is there even if i dont use it. the patch
does not work even after following all instructions. I cannot reinstall
IE, can not uninstall it, so am totally defenseless now. PLEASE, what
options do i have, have some pity one me!!

 

[Rob Parsons]

IE is an integral part of the Windows platforms now. That is why MS has been
hauled to the courts for supposed anti-trust violations. Even if you are not
using IE (you say you are using Mozilla) I would guess that you must accept
and install the Internet Explorer updates from the Windows Update site as
they probably contain dependencies that you will need for other Windows
Updates (regardless if you think they are un-related).

I am not a Microsoft Employee. The advice and opinions expressed here are my
own.

 

[Sandi - Microsoft MVP]

Try microsoft.public.windowsupdate. They may be able to tell you what is
triggering the install error.

--
Install the latest IE cumulative patch for protection against QHost:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-040.asp
More information about QHosts can be found here:
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/darnit_3.htm#qhost
________________________________________
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999 (IE/OE)
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer

 

[tttt]

Try microsoft.public.windowsupdate. They may be able to tell you what is
triggering the install error.

what i suspect is happening is the following:

you have already ie 6 sp1 update that includes everything. this new update
has that and new patches for new holes. windows update is trying to
reinstall the old ones plus new ones and errors on overwriting existing
ones. Really poor error handling, but not suprising since that is the
whole reason for the patches anyway!!!

I am not suprised that some people are saying the all the security problems
in Windows are a national security issue that requires Homeland Security
involvment. one of these days its not going to be some pimple face kid who
lauches some worm. MS has shown that it is not able to make a secure
product.